Orlando is one of the most Democratic-leaning cities in Florida, with a majority of its voters supporting Democratic candidates and causes in recent elections. But Orlando is also home to a sizable and active Republican minority, who have their own views and values on the issues that affect the city, the state and the nation.
Who are the Republicans in Orlando? Where do they live? What do they believe in? How do they participate in the political process? Here are some of the key facts and aspects of Republicans in Orlando that you need to know:
- Demographics: According to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections1, as of June 2, 2023, there were 212,930 registered Republicans in Orange County, where Orlando is located. This represents 25.43% of the total registered voters in the county. By contrast, there were 341,500 registered Democrats (40.78%) and 267,275 registered No Party Affiliation (31.91%). The Republicans in Orlando are mostly white (75%), followed by Hispanic (14%), black (6%) and Asian (3%). They are also mostly older (median age 47) and more educated (38% have a bachelor’s degree or higher) than the average voter in Orlando.
- Geography: The Republicans in Orlando are concentrated in certain areas of the city and its surroundings. According to BestNeighborhood.org2, the most Republican-leaning areas in Orlando are Lake Nona, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Winter Park and Oviedo. These areas tend to be more affluent, suburban and conservative than the rest of the city. The map below shows the political leanings of people in and around Orlando. Darker red areas have relatively more Republican voters, dark blue areas vote mostly for Democrats compared to other cities in Florida, and areas in lighter shades or in light purple are areas where the vote is usually split between parties.
- Issues: The Republicans in Orlando care about various issues that affect their lives and livelihoods. Some of these issues are:
- Economy: The Republicans in Orlando support policies that promote economic growth, job creation, lower taxes and less regulation. They oppose policies that increase government spending, debt and inflation. They favor free trade and open markets over protectionism and isolationism. They support small businesses and entrepreneurs over big corporations and special interests.
- National security: The Republicans in Orlando support policies that strengthen the military, intelligence and law enforcement capabilities of the US. They oppose policies that weaken the defense, foreign policy and homeland security interests of the US. They favor a strong and assertive leadership role for the US in the world over a passive and appeasing one. They support allies and partners who share the values and goals of the US over adversaries and rivals who threaten them.
- Social issues: The Republicans in Orlando support policies that uphold traditional values, morals and ethics. They oppose policies that erode the family, faith and freedom of individuals and communities. They favor a limited and constitutional role for the government over an expansive and intrusive one. They support individual rights and responsibilities over collective rights and entitlements.
- Participation: The Republicans in Orlando participate actively and enthusiastically in the political process. They vote regularly and reliably in local, state and national elections. They volunteer for campaigns and causes that align with their beliefs and interests. They donate money and resources to candidates and organizations that represent their views and values. They join clubs and groups that foster their civic engagement and social networking.
The Republicans in Orlando are a minority with a voice. They are a diverse and dynamic group of people who have their own opinions and preferences on the issues that matter to them. They are a loyal and influential force in the political landscape of Orlando, Florida and beyond.
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